Bringing home a new puppy is one of the most exciting experiences for a family of canine lovers. There are many puppies that need a good home and loving caretakers. But providing for a puppy isn't all fun and games - young canines are a lot of work. Here are some items you'll likely need before you bring the dog home.

A Healthy Dog

Your first consideration for your dog should always be his health. He should be in pretty good shape after he's gotten his dog vaccinations, but you'll still need to make sure you are well stocked for food, and have spoken to your vet about what sort of feeding schedule would work best for your canine. Keep in mind that you might need some at-home medicine for your dog, such as flea control for dogs. Once again, your vet is always the best person to help you pick out such supplies.

A Comfy Canine

You'll want your pooch to be comfortable in his new home, too. Many pet owners purchase a pet bed for their dogs. You may want to consider placing such a bed into a crate, as many puppies benefit from crate training when they're young.

Part of making sure your dog is comfortable means establishing some ground rules before bringing him home. Will you allow him on certain pieces of furniture? Who will be giving him his daily walks, and at what time? Does everyone in the family know the phone number for the veterinary hospital nearest you, in case of emergencies? Squaring away the answers to these questions will help you comfort and care for your canine as soon as you introduce him to your home.

A Well Behaved Pet

Your dog's youngest years will be the best time for him to learn proper obedience and behavior. Puppy training doesn't have to be a chore - it's a great way to bond with your pet. But you will need a few items to make sure it goes well. Find some healthy dog treats that you can use as incentive for your canine when teaching him new tricks or rules. For your first few months with your dog, you'll want to have a short leash that makes it easy to control him while on walks. Halters are often more comfortable and better for dogs than traditional collars, so ask your vet about your options.

Specialty Care

As part of the VCA family, we have over 83 specialty hospitals across the US and Canada which provide referral specialty care, so there may be one near you. Enter ZIP to find VCA specialty care hospitals near you.